NSU University School Faculty, Staff and Employee Handbook

8 PART 1: PROFESSIONALISM NSU University School asks a great deal from its faculty/staff. The highest standards of professional academic performance are expected at all times. Rigorous curriculum, fair evaluation, and the highest expectations of student development are the goals of NSU University School. NSU University School asks every teacher to be alert to advances in his or her field or area of specialty, and continually convey to students a commitment to learning through precept and example. All faculty and staff are expected to adhere to general school policies and procedures and to the specific responsibilities within the division. Failure to do so may result in a verbal and/or written reminder and will be reflected in performance appraisal. In some cases, a formal, written reprimand may be necessary. Chronic failures to follow these guidelines may result in non-renewal of the teaching contract or the addition of an addendum to the next year's teacher contract which outlines the specific problem(s) that must be corrected during the next year. Positive Role Model: In order to have and maintain an atmosphere that cultivates learning and is sensitive to each student’s needs, each employee must act as a positive role model for students. A positive role model is recognized as someone who evidences actions and behaviors that others wish to adopt. A positive role model “does as she/he says” and lives up to the expectations placed upon his/her students. Good role models set rules and expectations for students and others that they, themselves emulate. A positive role model at NSU University School can be defined by qualities of professionalism displayed both toward those we work with, toward the parents, and toward the students. Positive role models are those who interact with others in the environment with courtesy, patience, tolerance, and respect. NSU University School employees act as ambassadors of the school and, as such, are expected to avoid conversations that might be misconstrued by parents and/or the public as inconsistent with the school’s mission, vision, or strategic plan, and develop a positive and productive client relationship with parents and students. It is deemed unethical for teachers to critique their peers, offer evaluative judgment of peers, teaching methodologies, or to extend opinions about either the personal or professional qualities of peers, parents or students in conversations with/to others. This is not to say that behavior incompatible with school mission or that poses a detriment to students or others should be ignored. Rather, constructive suggestion and feedback should be provided to the individual and not to others about the individual. The qualities and energies that NSU University School seeks to enhance in each of its students are those that it expects of its faculty/staff as well.